"The Choices We Make"

Xander finished packing his bag. 'Seven years and you're throwing in the towel when your friends need you the most.' His father's vocie was just as clear as if he'd been standing next to him.

"I have to go," he said to no one in particular. He knew Buffy would never forgive him for what he had done. There was a knock at his door. "It's open," he called out.

Dawn entered. She took a look at his suitcase and said, "What's up?"

"Well,'' Xander began, "my dad died and I have to go away for the funeral."

'That's good,' his father's voice laughed. 'Use your old mans death to get the hell outta dodge. How'd I die again? Oh, right! You killed me!'

Xander plunged ahead. "What do you want?"

"Spike's missing and Buffy's worried."

'Oh that's rich,' Tony Harris cackled.

"Well I haven't seen him," Xander lied.

"O.K." Dawn urned away but said, "You're doing the right thing Xander."

"About what?"

"I saw. What you did to Spike," she said turning to face him. "You did what no one else would. And I forgive you. Even if she doesn't." With that she left.

As Xander made his way down the Summers stairs for the last time he heard a commotion in the living room. "How could you?" Buffy was screaming.

"I did what had to be done," Giles whispered back.

"You betrayed and everyone you claimed to love. Get the hell out of my house!"

"Buffy I-"

"NO! Giles you killed him! Now get the fuck outta my house!"

Xander looked in the room as Buffy gave Giles the death stare, Wood, Dawn, Willow, Kennedy, Andrew, and Anya looking on. "Very well," GIles sighed.

'Here's your chance,' Tony whispered in Xander's head. 'Run away like the coward you always were. Let your 'father' take the fucking fall! Why should you care right? It's not your problem anymore. Walk away and be just like me.'

"No," Xander breathed.

Buffy and the others looked over at Xander. "Yeah," Buffy choked out, "he killed Spike."

"No," Xander shook his head. "I did. I killed Spike."